The Silver Swan Ragtime Ensemble

Ragtime:

At the end of the Twentieth Century the word conjures up images of overfurnished parlors, quaint and elegant costumes, and upright pianos. Like so many things beheld at a distance, real Ragtime was quite different.

Although Ragtime was originally composed for, and played on the piano, it was also performed on nearly every conceivable combination of instruments. Mandolin orchestras, banjo soloists, salon orchestras, brass bands, and guitars are but a few common ways Ragtime was played in the first two decades of the Twentieth Century. In fact, most published sheet music would list the instrumental combinations for which it was arranged. It was not uncommon for a dozen, or more, versions to be available.

In that tradition, The Silver Swan Ragtime Ensemble has taken classic piano rags and arranged them for mandolin, banjo and tuba. Although the ‘Big Three’ of the classic Ragtime composers, Joplin, Scott, and Lamb are well represented, there is a vast world of Ragtime gems beyond the works of these men. Among the cakewalks, Tin Pan Alley Rags, novelty rags, and rags published by regional houses are works of surprising originality and musical quality. It is these that The Silver Swan Ragtime Ensemble especially enjoys performing. The current repertoire contains 48 rags with a performance time of more than 4 hours. The library of arrangements contains additional 40 rags for a total of 88.

With authentic period costumes, the tone of the Ragtime era is set before a note is played. Once the music begins, the sound of the ensemble is at once elegant and saucily American.

The Silver Swan Ragtime Ensemble • (805) 610-1683